Demoted Marondera Central Legislator Under Fire from Party Ally

Harare, Zimbabwe (News of the South)-ZANU PF Marondera Central legislator Lawrence Katsiru, recently demoted from his party position, continues to face challenges after fellow party member, Councillor Elias Tafirenyika attacked him at the weekend for failing the constituency and doing little for the people.

The uncanny attack from a fellow party member spells doom for the legislator already under borrowed time after his earlier demotion in a party cleansing exercise that also affected fellow party big-wig in the Province Marondera East Legislator Jeremiah Chiwetu.

The Marondera Central MP and Zanu PF stalwart, Lawrence Katsiru was stripped of his post as provincial secretary for administration following a Mashonaland Central provincial co-ordinating committee (PCC) meeting held at the party’s offices at the start of the year.

Speaking at a public gathering on water challenges last Saturday in his constituency Councillor Elias Tafirenyika said the legislator had been a big letdown in terms of catering to the needs of the people.

“We have done well in other areas but its obvious that our legislator should have done more to lift this constituency. We need an MP who can stand and be counted.”

“Water challenges are still persisting and we have to rely on the whims of donors who install boreholes in the area. The roads are potholed and the sewarage system is constantly damaged,” he said.

The criticism of Katsiru follows earlier complaints about the state of roads in the constituency by the former First Lady who also questioned the deplorable state of the roads.

Marondera Municipality benefitted from the Emergency Road Rehabilitation Programme to the tune of $2.7 million.

These funds which were inadequate saw some roads being tarred while others were left out thus affecting its drainage system. This has resulted in the sweeping away of some roads during the rainy season.

The drama of infighting in the constituency is likely to see the removal of Katsiru and other demoted members such as Jeremiah Chiwetu (Marondera East) losing their seats for the 2018 elections.

Katsiru has since been replaced by Thomas Chinyama, while Chiwetu’s post has been given to war veteran Muzondiwa Malaba.

The demotions are however at variance with public utterances of President Emmerson Mnangagwa who has preached unity and letting bygones be bygones.